Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony DCR-PC55E Handycam MiniDV Camcorder [0.8MP, 10x Optical, 3"LCD]

This camcorder is scarcely larger than the mini DV cassettes it uses with a very god LCD monitor which simply swivels round to the desired angle.

PROS: Although it has adavnced applications, for the beginner it has has a feature called "Ease" which allows you to start using it almost immediately.The LCD screen is very clear and the touch screen controls are easy to use. Play back quality is also excellent. The price through Amazon is great value. Jessops are charging £539 - Almost a £100 more!

Cons: The Software that comes with it is just about useless and would reccommend you use the XP Movie Maker application instead or invest in one of the good editing programmes. The instruction manual although not bad, couild be a lot better. You also don't get a case.

That said if you are looking for a high quality, camcorder, for everyday use, which can be stored in a trouser pocket at a bargin price, I srongly recommend the Sony DCR-PC55

DCR-PC55 - dead easy to use, and the screen menu is a doddle !
Small enough to fit in my pocket (which is one of the reasons why I bought it), and good colour reproduction. I would have given it 5 stars, except (1) it picks up a lot of wind noise (external mike socket would have been good)(but, hey, what do you expect for the price !), (2) recording in low light conditions is not so good, and (3) without a viewfinder, it's sometimes difficult to spot distant objects, and get them on the screen (but then, that's one of the reasons it's compact). But it's fun, easy to use, and for the price, it's great vfm !